BIOGRAPHY
You really want to hear the life story of Adam Jacobs? I'm tempted to make something up, something imaginative and interesting, but I don't think you'd honestly believe I was born in an African jungle and raised by pygmies, so I guess I'll just tell you the truth. My childhood was typical. I grew up in idyllic Half Moon Bay, CA which is just south of San Francisco. The town claims to be the pumpkin capitol of the world and continues to assert the claim with their annual pumpkin festival. I used to go every year with my family. I attended St. Ignatius College Prep in SF, learning what there was to learn from those crazy Jesuits. During that time I was playing soccer and taking piano (hence my parents never allowed me to play goalie-- scared that I would jam my fingers and destroy my concert pianist career) In 7th grade, I sold some paintings I had painted in art class for a small fortune and used the money to go to Australia as an exchange student for about a month. No lie. That was a great experience.
I'm not sure exactly when I first got into theater. My mother would say that because I saw Yul Brynner in The King and I when I was five and didn't cry and could sit still through it, I was destined to become an actor. My first professional gig was with Theaterworks in Palo Alto where I played "Little Hawk" in the west coast premiere of Honor Song for Crazy Horse . Wearing a wig of long black hair and a skimpy loincloth I really did look Native American! (see photos page) My next big gig was with the SF Opera where I played "Young Harvey" in the documentary opera of Harvey Milk. (see right) We performed on the anniversary of his assassination (November 7th 1978) and prior to the performance, the cast and about 1000 people participated in a candlelight march down Market Street just like they did back then. We went straight from the march to the performance-- it was powerful to say the least. I was also immortalized in the cast album recording which was cool.
After my CA days, I came to New York to study musical theater at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. After getting the BFA (thanks mom and dad) I did a stint on a cruise ship sailing around Europe and then a bunch of summer stock gigs. I booked my first big tour with Networks and became the Prince for 9 months with the National Tour of Cinderella (see right). Right after that, I got my Equity card from the Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire, IL playing "Nanki-poo" in David Bell's Hot Mikado. I came back to NY, got an apartment and an agent, became a professional auditioner for a while and a really good lounge singer on Spirit Cruises... after about 8 months of that, I finally got a big break-- one of those jobs you dream about but never think you'll actually have the opportunity to do-- the role of "Marius" in the National Tour of Les Miserables. When the show came back to Broadway, I had to re-audition for Cameron Mackintosh and John Caird. I thought they would make me an understudy at the most and probably use some star, so when I got the call that they wanted me to play the role, I flipped out. Now I'm making my Broadway debut in a great role and living the dream.
I feel blessed and very fortunate to be where I am in my life. I feel like I should write more about myself here but I'm not sure what to say... um... I enjoy playing chess in the NYC parks against the Russians and poker tournaments with the boys of Les Mis. I like drinking bubble tea and Jamba Juice smoothies. I enjoy composing songs on my guitar and on the piano and would like to record an album someday. I collect magnets from every city that I go to on tour and then put them on the fridge when I get back home. And most of all, I enjoy spending time with the people I love. I have supportive parents, a beautiful wife who sings and dances at Radio City Music Hall, and a wonderful talented sister who is also a performer, currently playing Gabriella Montez on Disney's tour of High School Musical. What else? I like reading and rollerblading (not at the same time) and just recently, waterskiing (see right). I could keep on going here but I think what I've written here paints a pretty good picture of who I am. I hope you enjoyed learning more about me and thank you for visiting my site!
